The Department of City Planning announced Tuesday that it would begin the public review process for the contextual rezoning of 275 blocks in North Flushing to protect the neighborhood from overdevelopment and try to preserve its low-rise character.

It is one of the largest contextual rezonings the city has ever undertaken.

The rezoning area is generally bounded by Union Street to the west; the Clearview Expressway and Francis Lewis Boulevard to the east; 25th Avenue to the north, and Northern Boulevard and Depot Road to the south. This area includes portions of the adjacent Broadway-Flushing, Auburndale and Bayside neighborhoods.

This will come as welcome news for elected officials, residents, and the two local community boards – 7 and 11 – which have all been pressing the city to undertake the rezoning for years.